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Bibs or shorts?

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Bibs or shorts?

Old 06-11-20, 10:56 AM
  #26  
tomato coupe
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Originally Posted by Iride01
I have. Since he's mostly only worn bibs, I'm not sure if he has the experiences to fully satisfy me about such.

I could try a pair of his, but then I have to get over the thought of how they, like bike shorts are used without undergarment. I suppose I could wash them fifty times before using.
Why don't you buy a pair of his favorite bibs for yourself and try them out? If you don't like them, give them to him. I'm sure he'll get over the "ick" factor.
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Old 06-11-20, 11:07 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by tomato coupe
Why don't you buy a pair of his favorite bibs for yourself and try them out? If you don't like them, give them to him. I'm sure he'll get over the "ick" factor.
Well now you are just being too sensible. Stop that. <grin>

I suppose if I do find they retain heat too much, I can just use them in the cooler riding days. But you are right, nothing beats experiencing it for oneself. Just like I preach test rides to those asking what bikes fit them.
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Old 06-11-20, 01:00 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Iride01
I've never tried bibs yet. My son pretty much only uses bibs. The thing that holds me back the most is the thought of having that little extra material coming up the waist and many times the straps seem wide and their material thick. So I'm concerned with them retaining more heat in my body. I frequently ride in 95°F temps and more. And when for a week or so the temps get over 100°F I am still riding. So I want to get rid of any heat I produce quickly.
My average ride starts at 90F by 6:30am (yay tropics) and only goes up from there. When i am in tri-dork training mode, i wear tri shorts and a sleeveless top - other times, when my dignity is a little more relevant, i wear bibs and a jersey. I cant say that i have felt cooler in shorts vs bibs.
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Old 06-11-20, 01:22 PM
  #29  
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Shorts for me
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Old 06-11-20, 02:53 PM
  #30  
indyfabz
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Anyone else now getting ads for bibs? I’m getting ads for Rapha bibs.
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Old 06-11-20, 03:28 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by InvertedMP
So I have never even tried on a bib. I was looking to buy a couple new pairs of shorts and was suggested to try bibs. Do you guys love them? Hate them? Would love to hear some considerations before I purchase.
once you try bibs you'll never go back, buy a good pair spend, few bucks and you'll be happy
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Old 06-11-20, 06:03 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by Iride01
I've never tried bibs yet. My son pretty much only uses bibs. The thing that holds me back the most is the thought of having that little extra material coming up the waist and many times the straps seem wide and their material thick. So I'm concerned with them retaining more heat in my body. I frequently ride in 95°F temps and more. And when for a week or so the temps get over 100°F I am still riding. So I want to get rid of any heat I produce quickly.

So if any of you bib users can add some comments about that, I'd be interested, hopefully the OP too.
I used to think the same thing about bibs possibly being too hot. Honestly, the strap material wicks far better than bare skin, so they allow for better sweat transfer and evaporation compared to regular shorts with a good jersey alone, and the straps are completely unnoticeable after 2 minutes (or less) on every pair/brand of bibs I own.
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Old 06-11-20, 07:06 PM
  #33  
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I would never ride without wearing bibs. They are the best! But if you get chaffed nipples easily......then they may not be for you. But honestly, never seen many people that even have sensitivity there say anything bad about bibs.


Originally Posted by InvertedMP
So I have never even tried on a bib. I was looking to buy a couple new pairs of shorts and was suggested to try bibs. Do you guys love them? Hate them? Would love to hear some considerations before I purchase.
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Old 06-12-20, 05:46 AM
  #34  
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I only ride bibs. They are more comfortable and stay in place.
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Old 06-12-20, 06:58 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by Germanrazor
But if you get chaffed nipples easily......then they may not be for you. .
Workaround
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Old 06-12-20, 07:57 AM
  #36  
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this is still a question?

bibs.



or jeans.
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Old 06-13-20, 07:22 AM
  #37  
dr_max
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Bibs pros

More confortable
Don’t have the pressure of the elastic waist band
tend to prevent from rolling down




Short pros

Less fabric behind you back on hot days
harder to pee (mainly for women). My friend wears he bib over her jersey this way she can go pee on rides
cheaper
look less ****** when you remove your jersey if front of noncyclists
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Old 06-13-20, 11:16 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by GlennR
I have a bit of a gut so they hold me in.
This is the biggest benefit of bibs over shorts.

Muffin top owner here.

Lycra shorts made it worse by squeezing it up and out, bibs completely keep everything tucked in all around, so much better and no visible muffin top.

Bibs for life.
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Old 06-13-20, 12:55 PM
  #39  
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Bibs! I've gone completely to bibs. I find them much more comfortable. They just seem to stay put better, and they eliminate any issues from a jersey that slides up a bit.

The only exception is circumstances in which I feel the need to wear cycling shorts under street clothes, such as off-site meetings that require a bit of a bike commute without a place to change.

Originally Posted by dr_max

harder to pee (mainly for women). My friend wears he bib over her jersey this way she can go pee on rides
Yes - that can be an issue! There are several brands that have offered solutions to this problem - Endura makes a nice bib with a seat that zips off, and a few brands make halterneck bibs that slide over the head without removing the jersey. This of course will not help if you've got to wear team kit, and there are other issues with both the dropseat and halterneck design.
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Old 06-15-20, 11:16 AM
  #40  
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Like a lot of cyclists I started with shorts but moved to bibs as I got more "serious". Simply put, bibs are more comfortable and look better. The only downside is that it's a trial and error process to find out what bibs work for you.
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Old 06-15-20, 11:27 AM
  #41  
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Definitely bibs, and don't scrimp on quality - the good ones last a long time and are more comfortable, although you may have to try a couple of brands to find the best ones for you. You can get good prices at the end of summer.
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Old 06-15-20, 11:39 AM
  #42  
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Bibs for all the reasons mentioned. Comfortable and stay in place.
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Old 06-15-20, 12:01 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Germanrazor
I would never ride without wearing bibs. They are the best! But if you get chaffed nipples easily......then they may not be for you. But honestly, never seen many people that even have sensitivity there say anything bad about bibs.
Chafed nipples has been an issue for me forever. I love that with suspenders, I simply clip in about 2" from center in front. Before I started doing that, I ran the straps through a rubber band. On my pair of bib tights, I sewed a short strap and velcro to pull the suspenders close. (My other tights that I clip suspenders on to are so much easier to deal with!)

Those tights are very high quality and super comfortable, I'll were 'em till they die. But if they had come as non-bibs, they would have been just as good and just as comfortable (using suspenders). My one pair of bibs has not been worn since the suspenders stretched too much and they no longer do the job (of keeping important stuff where it belongs). I've gotten twice the mileage with the identical shorts.

Ben
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Old 06-15-20, 01:28 PM
  #44  
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bibs only. started with shorts, then a mix of bibs and shorts, now would never were shorts unless I had no clean bibs. they stay put, no gap if shirt rides up, can store stuff in back material if need to stash while on ride.
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Old 06-15-20, 01:36 PM
  #45  
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Suspenders are my favourite but it never occurred to wear them with bike shorts. The problem is the clips wear out and then slide off. Never tried them on bike shorts. I may sew some pads on. Excellent idea

I like suspenders when at work as a pilot but I did hear it from the guys. ie. gramps etc... Sitting in a chair the clips dig in making it uncomfortable on a long flight.
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Old 06-15-20, 01:39 PM
  #46  
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Bibs are best for me!

Originally Posted by InvertedMP
So I have never even tried on a bib. I was looking to buy a couple new pairs of shorts and was suggested to try bibs. Do you guys love them? Hate them? Would love to hear some considerations before I purchase.
I have both, but generally wear bibs 99% of the time (1% of the time, I don’t have any clean bibs).
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Old 06-15-20, 03:33 PM
  #47  
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The side conversation about suspenders has been interesting.


option a- buy shorts and buy suspenders for effectively the price of bibs. At that point, fashion up some hack that keeps the clips from digging into you and/or slipping off the shorts while also ensuring the clips don't tear into the shorts material.

option b- buy bibs and go ride.
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Old 06-15-20, 04:00 PM
  #48  
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The Fremont solstice festival is coming up, you're not supposed to ride in bibs or shorts. Unless they're painted on.
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Old 06-15-20, 04:23 PM
  #49  
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I ride in hot weather all the time here in Virginia. Have always worn bibs, and wouldn't wear anything else.
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Old 06-15-20, 05:32 PM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by InvertedMP
So I have never even tried on a bib. I was looking to buy a couple new pairs of shorts and was suggested to try bibs. Do you guys love them? Hate them? Would love to hear some considerations before I purchase.
I only wear bibs. Once I tried them (probably b/c "real" riders wear them), I never went back. Occasionally I get GERD while riding and I think my tighter fitting bib might contribute to it.
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